Carpenter, Jackson File for a New Trial
Former state Sen. Paul B. Carpenter and lobbyist Clayton R. Jackson, convicted last week on multiple political corruption charges, have filed for a new trial, contending that former state Sen. Alan Robbins, the prosecution’s chief witness, is “unworthy of belief.”
In documents filed this week in U.S. District Court, lawyers for Carpenter and Jackson contend that Robbins is a liar, noting that he is serving a two-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to corruption charges and agreeing to cooperate with federal authorities.
Charles F. Bloodgood, Carpenter’s lawyer, also cited as grounds for a new trial a court ruling that he said prevented him from introducing evidence showing that a primary FBI investigator was biased against his client.
Carpenter and Jackson were found guilty of participating in a scheme to launder campaign contributions to Robbins, a San Fernando Valley Democrat. They each face prison sentences of between six and seven years and are scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 14, when the motion for a new trial is expected to be heard.
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